Valley News.....

Brethren;
A quick reminder that the Lodge of Perfection meets this Wednesday, April 11. Dinner's at 6:30, with the meeting to follow at 7:30. I'm sure that Venerable Master Ed Woods will have some good items for thought, and he could certainly use your sideline support this Wednesday!

How was Guthrie, do you ask? In a word, it was 'marvelous'! I know that each Brother wants, and gets, something different from the experience. For me, I enjoy several things. For one, you can't beat it for Masonic Education. Besides the beautiful portrayal of the Degrees (and the lessons in each!), you have the opportunity to speak with Dr. and Br. Tresner, and Br. Davis - both 33 Grand Cross recipients, and obviously two of the most knowledgeable members of our Craft. (And, for persons of their stature, both are exceedingly friendly and approachable!) Secondly, the fellowship is simply wonderful. As South Sound Brothers, enjoying steak (or even catfish) with a couple of Shiner Bocks ain't a bad way to spend an evening. But more, getting to know Brothers from OK, NC, CA, and FL (in my case) was both fun and rewarding, whether in the cigar room or elsewhere! I could go on and on, but suffice it to say, you need to plan for next year!

Lastly, if you haven't purchased a copy of the new Morals and Dogma, I can attest that it's well written, and worth your time. While I know that Brothers may put a different value on Masonic Education; for all of us it is an obligation as Scottish Rite Masons. I was recently struck by passages from the 20th Degree.
Zoroaster admonished his people to "be good, be kind, be humane and charitable, love your fellows, console the afflicted, pardon those who have done you wrong." Confucius admonished "Love thy neighbor as thyself. Do not to others what thou wouldst not wish should be done to thyself. Forgive your enemy, be reconciled to him, give him assistance, invoke God on his behalf."
Br. Albert Pike admonishes and challenges us as Lodge members to not allow our morality be inferior to that of either Philosopher. (And you thought the beatitudes were a Christian ideal?)

See you Wednesday!
Fraternally,
Kris

UPDATE... National KSA Gathering in Guthrie

For anyone making the Guthrie trek this year, we leave on ( The reunion is March 30 – 31 and April 1, 2012 ) March 31st and return on April 4th. The degrees start on Friday, March 30 April 1st promptly at 0800, or for you Marines the little hand on 8, etc.

There are a lot of flights available getting to Oklahoma City about 3:30 PM, which should be your target time so you can get to the Scottish Rite Center in Guthrie in time to get checked in, register, and accompany us to the steak house for dinner.

I'll have room for two people in my car and I get into OKC at 5:30 PM. Now is the time to start booking plane fares. Also I need a list of names no later than February 28th so I can reserve rooms at the Center.

( I think the rooms in the INN may be gone by now. Last night I was told there were only 15 beds left )( You might e-mail Brother John Walker at the new e-mail address – innkeep@att.net )

Please send me a list of names of the members that will be coming and I will register them. If they want a packet please have them send in a Gathering reservation which is on our new homepage for the Knights of St Andrew. www.ksaguthrie.org Reunion is FREE but the packets are $25.00 – They contain a Note book / Pen / Special Challenge Coin / Gathering Lapel Pin. Plus other items and Oklahoma / Guthrie information.

The hotels are listed in our home page. Sleep Inn and Best Western are $80 and $ 74 / night. I understand the Holiday went up to $150.00/night.

Please respond to: KSAofGuthrieOK@dittmar.net
www.KSAGuthrie.org

Brethren...

I would like to thank all of our guests and especially our Sovereign Grand Inspector General William R. "Bill" Miller for attending tonight's installation of Officers for the Olympia Valley 2012.

I would like to extend congratulations to Bro. Gary Norton 32° KCCH our newly appointed Secretary and Bro. John Kime 32° our newly appointed Treasurer both of who have extremely large shoes to fill and will no doubt serve our Valley well. Be sure to congratulate them the next time you see them.

I would like to thank the Installing Officer Illustrious Brother Donald R. White 33°, Master of Ceremonies Brother Rod Mason 32° KCCH, Installing Secretary Illustrious Brother Skip Sanford 33° and Prelate Illustrious Brother John Woodall, 33°, for a wonderful installation ceremony.

Of course there are thanks for the wonderful meal provide and served by the Daughters of Bethel #51, it was enjoyed by all, you did a great job.

Lastly I would like to extend my gratitude on behalf of the Brethren of the Olympia Valley to Illustrious Brother Skip Sanford 33° and Illustrious Brother Ray Drummond 33° for their many tireless years of service.

I look forward to seeing you all at our next meeting February 8, Wednesday 2012 - 6:30 PM Dinner Lodge of Perfection - 4th Degree.

Fraternally,

Edward Woods, 32° K.C.C.H.